Tag Archives: Go WOW Team

Track!

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Track workout for the week of Jan 30 - Feb 4, 2012

Do 1 mile warm-up followed by dynamic stretches

1 mile at tempo pace with 2 min break

2 miles at tempo pace with 2 min break

800 meters at tempo pace with 2 min break

800 meters at tempo pace

Cool down 1 -2 laps walking or jogging

Stretch

Don't know your tempo pace? Check with Coach Stephanie

If you are a novice to the track, don't worry about the pace. Try to finish 1/2 of each segment of the workout going medium hard. Then rest until the others all finish and take their 2 minutes break. Everyone start the next segment together. This applies to runners or walkers.

Don't forget to breathe, use strong legs with soft foot landing, and pump those arms!

Please post your comments on our facebook page. Thanks!

The Weekly Pep Talk

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The Weekly Pep Talk #179
Start January 30, 2012

The Weekly Pep Talk - 8 Weeks to Go! Golden Gate Bridge this Weekend


Words to live by:  Patience and fortitude conquer all things. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Woman of the Week: Lizette Byer deserves credit for her patience, fortitude, and drive, now taking on a century ride and the Oakland Half Marathon! Go Lizette!

Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  When members post in the Winners Circle you are not only sharing your story but you are letting us get to know you as a whole person. Running and fitness is essential to us WOW Women but it is not the whole story of who we are, by any means. Let’s get to know each other through the Winners Circle.

Dear Ladies,

Another great week and no rain!

You ladies are going strong, literally and physically! I am so proud! With 8 weeks left we are moving up in miles and the endurance it takes to complete them. I am deeeelighted that you are taking me seriously and putting in the time but not worrying about the distance.  On Saturday, our small group consisted of Beth R, Elaine P, Ann R, and me. We all put in about 60 minutes with Ann planning to add another run in the afternoon. I enjoyed the warm-up and workout ladies. Good job!

On Sunday, we had 18 women join us at Sports Basement in Walnut Creek for up to 120 minutes of running or walking. Robbi C, Rowena R, Lizette B, Eileen K, Julie Y, Amanda M, Michaela R, Iris T, April N, Miriam R, Ellen G, Lauren G, Kelly W, Pam S, Kathy W, Lily C-D, Kyoung, and I were out there pounding the pavement and hitting the hills hard! That hill about 3.5 miles out is no piece of cake!

Now is a time to make sure you are staying hydrated and getting enough calories before, during, and after the workout. On runs over 60 minutes, you should be carrying your own water or electrolyte drink during our training runs.

I recommend drinking shortly before you start your run (5 min or less) and continue to add 2 – 4 oz every 10 – 15 minutes. If this sounds like a lot, it’s because most of us do not take in enough water. Being under-hydrated will cause leg cramps and overall cramping, along with fatigue. Your body needs enough water (and nutrients - which means calories, too) to keep the muscles working properly and to transport toxins out of your body. Even on a cold day you are sweating and losing water through your skin and mouth.

Adding water in small doses, fairly often, gives your stomach a chance to deal with it without being deluged. A huge cup of water in the middle of a run can cause stomach upset, burping, and a slogging feeling as you run.

So, your assignment for next week is to carry some water with you. There are some drinking fountains along the way however, it is best for you to be prepared to take care of yourself and not rely on others. It’s just a good back up since other things can and do go wrong.

I will bring along some GU and shot blocks for you to try next weekend, as we run across the Golden Gate Bridge! Should be beautiful!
Keep up the good, smart, strong training. You ladies are awesome!

Go for it!
Coach Stephanie

P.S. The Winners Circle Journal Entry is to keep us accountable as well as to share what is happening in our fitness journey. Please post your entries. Learn about us. Keep us in your training loop and share those awesome WOW stories that make life interesting. Thanks!
___
Oakland Expo Volunteers Needed – The WOW Team needs volunteers to help at the Oakland Run Fest Expo. We can use members or friends and family. Here is what we need:

  • Friday, March 23 – Setup. 2 volunteers plus Coach Stephanie
  • Saturday, March 24 – Expo opens about 8AM. We’ll do 2 hour shifts until closing time (need to check times) so need 10 – 15 volunteers (this is the day you have to pick up your race bib so you’ll be coming anyway). This day it is best to have WOW Members at our booth if possible because you will be talking with the public and handing out postcards, etc. about the WOW Team.
  • Sunday, March 25 – The WOW Team has a booth at the race pavilion where we can leave stuff and meet and so on. We need non-participants so this is a good one to recruit family and friends. Details to follow. Times needed are from 45 minutes before race time to about 1:00. We will also need some clean-up here, after the race.
Shoe Clinic, Walk and Walk/Run Clinic at See Jane Run – Sunday, Feb 12, after our workout at Inspiration Point, I will be talking about the walk and walk/run clinic on Feb 18 and See Jane Run is offering a shoe clinic (and discount if you buy).Starting time: 11:00 it’s free to everyone to attend.

February 18 – Walk and Walk/Run Clinic, geared to new walkers and aspiring run/walkers who want to race the 5K in Oakland or See Jane Run. 4 hour clinic at the Emeryville Marina. WOW Team Members discount price is $29, Best of the Best Members are Free. Retail price $59. Details on meetup.
Starting time: 8:00
Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon in October – I know there is interest in doing this. You may also know that it is a lottery! Therefore, we need to enter our team soon (we will be notified) and I need SOMEONE to volunteer to handle the details. It’s just stuff on the internet and emails. Who wants to step up? No experience necessary!
Please yelp the WOW Team if you have something wonderful to say. Thank you! http://www.yelp.com/biz/go-wow-team-oakland
Change Coaching calls to Saturday at 4:30, starting in February. This might or might not be better but I wanted to give it a try.
New Day: Saturday
Live Call Time: 4:30 PM
Not available but have a question? Post your question on our facebook public page at facebook.com/gowowteam and I will answer it on the call.
The format will be a change now to answering questions and recording those answers for anyone who requests the recording. So, you have the option of calling in and talking with me, live, or posting a question and I will answer it on the call, to share with all the other callers and have for you as a recording if you let me know.
Recap from prior weeks:
Be sure to look over the Resources Page on the WOW Team website to realize ALL the VALUE of your WOW Membership. Here is the link http://gowowteam.com/resources

Post on Winners Circle every week – From Eileen’s great idea of starting a living WOW journal I am requesting that each of us post a training entry of some sort each week, on the Winners Circle. I will start today and encourage everyone to follow suit. This is a way for you to be accountable to each other and to share your thoughts and feelings about your training – ANY ASPECT! Let’s see where we can go with this. http://www.facebook.com/groups/244142088969843/295132213870830

Relay Teams – Could I get an update from Iris on team 2, please? Are we starting a third team?

Register now for your chosen race at the Oakland Run Fest. WOW Members get a $5 discount. The code is on our web page under the Resources Tab “For Members Only”.

Arrive early; win a prize – WOW Sunday workouts start at 8:00. Please try to be at the meeting area, ready to rock and roll at that time or sooner.  To reward those of you who follow through with this I’m offering a drawing of Celliant sport socks and sweat bands, while they last. Everyone who arrives by 7:59 AM will be given a drawing ticket when they sign-in and we’ll handle the drawing right before we take off.

This week details:
Look on meetup for locations and follow your training program for day to day details. Please RSVP.

Important! Our weekend workouts are not based on speed. The purpose is ENDURANCE. Each running workout has a reason. Please be aware of them.
Remember, we are in this for a lifetime! Build your base, get your strength, and remain uninjured so that you can run like a gazelle when the time is right, and for the rest of your life!
Upcoming random races and opportunities:
Feb. 19, 2012 – The Arizona Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, and 5K, http://www.thearizonamarathon.com
March 25, 2012 – Oakland Running Festival, http://www.oaklandmarathon.com
April 22, 2012 – Auburn Endurance Capital Marathon, http://www.endurancemarathon.org
May 6, 2012 - Divas Half Marathon in San Francisco Bay - http://www.runlikeadiva.com
May 17 – 19 – Fargo Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 10K, 5K, and Youth Run, http://www.fargomarathon.com
June 3, 2012 See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5K in Alameda – http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K-registration.aspx
Aug 26, 2012 - Santa Rosa Marathon / Half Marathon and 5k Fun Run – thesantarosamarathon.com
November 18, 2012 - The Lady Speed Stick® Women’s Half Marathon Scottsdale-Tempe
www.womenshalfmarathon.com/scottsdale-tempe
Photos:
No 1 - great sneaker photo from Mary Beth Thomas
No 2 - Kiera and Filomena at the WOW Team Oakland Expo Booth in 2011. Photographer unknown
No 3 - Ann and Bruno, we miss you both! photo by Jen Garcia
No 4 - Lauren, Ellen, and Heidi on their way to the Golden Gate Bridge. Photographer unknown
How to Perform Super-Slow Weight Lifting (Coach Stephanie says, I’m going to try this… sounds good)
By aggressively working your muscle to fatigue, you're stimulating the muscular adaptation that will improve the metabolic capability of the muscle and cause it to grow. McGuff recommends using four or five basic compound movements for your exercise set. These exercises can be done using either free weights or machines. The benefit of using a quality machine is that it will allow you to focus your mind on the effort, as opposed to the movement.
Dr. McGuff recommends the following five movements:
  1. Pull-down (or alternatively chin-up)
  2. Chest press
  3. Compound row (A pulling motion in the horizontal plane)
  4. Overhead press
  5. Leg press
Here's a summary of how to perform each exercise:
  1. Begin by lifting the weight as slowly and gradually as you can. The first inch should take about two seconds. Since you're depriving yourself of all the momentum of snatching the weight upward, it will be very difficult to complete the full movement in less than 7-10 seconds. (When pushing, stop about 10 to 15 degrees before your limb is fully straightened; smoothly reverse direction)
  2. Slowly lower the weight back down
Repeat until exhaustion. (Once you reach exhaustion, don't try to heave or jerk the weight to get one last repetition in. Instead, just keep trying to produce the movement, even if it's not 'going' anywhere, for another five seconds or so. If you're using the appropriate amount of weight or resistance, you'll be able to perform four to eight repetitions). Immediately switch to the next exercise for the next target muscle group, and repeat the first three steps. When done in this fashion, your workout will take no more than 12 or 15 minutes. For more information about Super-Slow resistance training, please see my interview with Dr. McGuff.
Note: If you have a question and are not yet a member of the WOW Team, post it on our Go WOW Team public facebook page and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Members can post on The Winners Circle, our private facebook page. I'll check in on both. Go WOW Team!

Comments? Please post them on facebook. Thanks!


The Weekly Pep Talk

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The Weekly Pep Talk - Moving and Grooving and Finishing Week 3
Start January 23, 2012

Words to live by:  
I constantly remind myself that resting takes confidence. Anyone can train like a mad man but to embrace rest and to allow all the hard training to come out takes mental strength. – Ryan Hall

Woman of the Week:  This week goes to Eileen Killory. You are getting stronger and giving so much to your team mates. Thanks Eileen!

Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  The improvement phase comes from the recovery and rest portion of your training. So train hard and rest with conviction!

Dear WOW Women and Interested Readers,

It is Tuesday night and I am working hard to get this out to you. I am actually putting on a webinar tonight with Fit Approach. It is called 3 Essentials to Improved Running. If it goes well, I may do it again. Any interest?

On to training…We had another great week and I am seeing the determination in you getting even stronger as your bodies get stronger too.

Some of you are talking pain and we are getting these issues addressed right away. This is so smart! I’m really proud of you.

You are also listening to the purpose of each workout – tempo, endurance, and speed. I want you all to train smart and have amazing success. This will come from listening to your bodies and listening to what I offer in my coaching and learning modules.

And finally, be sure to follow the training programs for your specific distance and goal. This week I will not post them in this newsletter. Try to follow the entire week’s worth of training, all of which is available to you on the website.

I want to thank mentors Eileen K and Michaela R for helping out last Wednesday at our workouts at Lake Merritt and Walnut Creek. With a dark track at Las Lomas, participants Miriam, Anna, Amanda, Christie, Michaela and I still did a timed 2 mile after our warm-up. What good sports you all were!

Eileen led the workout at Lake Merrit since I was in Walnut Creek. From all reports she did a great job and no one was lost! Thanks Eileen.

Saturday, I met Christy G at Lake Merritt, for her morning walk group and we had Dawn, Willie, and Michelle join us. They are ready to train for Nike or the San Jose Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon. Who else wants to do one of these?

Sunday, we had a great turnout and the first 60 minutes of our workout was rain-free. Then, the rain came down pretty steady but did not dampen the spirits of the WOW Women. Everyone who had 100 minutes (or 9 miles) to do, finished the task. Marvelous!
The talking test, as opposed to using too many electronic devices worked quite well. You are a good group of women! All 22 of you who showed up on Sunday!

This week’s pep talk is going to be very short because I am short on time to get it out to you and the rest of the week is crazy.
Be sure to post your questions on the Winners Circle, our public facebook page, or meetup. I’m always interested in hearing from you.

Go WOW Team!
Coach Stpehanie
P.S. You are all awesome! Don't forget it!
 
Recap from prior weeks:
Be sure to look over the Resources Page on the WOW Team website to realize ALL the VALUE of your WOW Membership. Here is the link http://gowowteam.com/resources

Post on Winners Circle every week – From Eileen’s great idea of starting a living WOW journal I am requesting that each of us post a training entry of some sort each week, on the Winners Circle. I will start today and encourage everyone to follow suit. This is a way for you to be accountable to each other and to share your thoughts and feelings about your training – ANY ASPECT! Let’s see where we can go with this. http://www.facebook.com/groups/244142088969843/295132213870830/

Relay Teams – Could I get an update from Iris on team 2, please? Are we starting a third team?

Register now for your chosen race at the Oakland Run Fest. WOW Members get a $5 discount. The code is on our web page under the Resources Tab “For Members Only”.

Arrive early; win a prize – WOW Sunday workouts start at 8:00. Please try to be at the meeting area, ready to rock and roll at that time or sooner.  To reward those of you who follow through with this I’m offering a drawing of Celliant sport socks and sweat bands, while they last. everyone who arrives by 7:59 AM, will be given a drawing ticket when they sign-in and we’ll handle the drawing right before we take off.

This week details:
Look on meetup for locations and follow your training program for day to day details. Please RSVP.

Important! Our weekend workouts are not based on speed. The purpose is ENDURANCE. Each running workout has a reason. Please be aware of them.

Remember, we are in this for a lifetime! Build your base, get your strength, and remain uninjured so that you can run like a gazelle when the time is right, and for the rest of your life!
 

Upcoming random races and opportunities:
Feb. 19, 2012 – The Arizona Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, and 5K, http://www.thearizonamarathon.com
March 25, 2012 – Oakland Running Festival, http://www.oaklandmarathon.com
April 22, 2012 – Auburn Endurance Capital Marathon, http://www.endurancemarathon.org
May 17 – 19 – Fargo Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 10K, 5K, and Youth Run, http://www.fargomarathon.com

Your Membership includes:
*Several workouts throughout the week in various locations with our main workouts on Wednesday and Sunday
*Learning modules that take you from couch to accomplished. These webinars offer invaluable information that will make you a better runner and take you, step by step, through the entire running process from your first step to crossing the finish line in your chosen race.
*Online coaching with Coach Stephanie
*Training programs for 5K, 10K, and half marathon with daily instructions
*The Winners Circle
*Cross training is described in the modules and starts with Module 1.
** Power Walk/Recovery Walk description is available on Module 1, From Dream to Reality
***Workout Basics are described in Module 1 of the online learning modules.

Photo of WOW Team Mentors at opening day, Jan 8, 2012.  Julie Y, Lesley T, Elyse T (SF Sport and Spine), Robbi C, Ann R, and Eileen K. Taken by Lauren Ganes.


 



Note: If you have a question and are not yet a member of the WOW Team, post it on our Go WOW Team public facebook page and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Members can post on The Winners Circle, our private facebook page. I'll check in on both. Go WOW Team!

The Weekly Pep Talk

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The Weekly Pep Talk
Start date January 17, 2012

Words to live by:  The irony is that the person not taking risks feels the same amount of fear as the person who regularly takes risks. - Peter McWilliams

Woman of the Week:  There are so many wonderful women in our group! This week, however, I would like to highlight Beth Wrightson who is such a gem. Current mentor, organized, always helpful to me and, the best part, recently engaged! Go for it Beth!

Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  Every running program has 3 elements for improvement: Speed, Tempo, and Endurance Workouts.  Each has a purpose. Be clear on what they are and why you are doing them. (Online Module 2 talks about this.) Modules are available to Best of the Best and Regular Subscribing Members. Not certain where you fit in? Check our membership comparison graph at  http://gowowteam.com/faqs/compare-memberships

Dear WOW Members and Interested Readers,

Last week was week 2 of our Oakland Run Fest Training and you women are going strong! I want to congratulate Ann R, Beth R, and Filomena B for braving those cold temperatures at Kezar last Wednesday morning. It was COLD! I stood and timed (which was no picnic) while the women did repeats of 400’s and surprised themselves with how much they’ve improved! Yes, speed will come if you stick with the workouts. They proved this.

On Wed. evening, the Lake Merritt group had its own speed test and women were flying! They took me seriously when I said to go hard and fast. Almost 20 women pushed the pace around the lake. This included newcomers Colleen B and Christie R. Good to see Jeanetta M out there going strong and Tami and Lesley completed a brisk fitness walk. Everyone got in a good workout.

Now is definitely the time to listen to your bodies as we add stress through following a regular training program. Please remember to look and listen to the 6 online training modules made to explain all of these training details. You are missing out on a lot if you are not tuning in on Sundays at 4:30 or listening and watching these module on your own schedule.

Our weekend workouts are so diverse! Saturday, we only had Ann R, Elaine P, and me. I was plodding along at a slow walk and Elaine was kind enough to walk with me. Thank you.

Ann ended up running on her own but, as it turned out, I think she got a lot out of it. Please look at her wonderful journal entry made on January 14 in the Winners Circle. If the short link doesn't work, here's the whole thing.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/244142088969843/298011743582877/

Sunday was also COLD but we had a great turnout with more than 20 women at Lafayette Reservoir! Go Ladies Go! We practiced a bit on hill technique then I sent you out to test your new skills. We completed 1 – 3 laps using our newly learned techniques and as Lizette said on facebook  “loved the hill training-- I think I had the biggest ear-to-ear grins running down those hills”.  

Yahoo! This is what I like to hear!

Be sure to check out the photos from Sunday. Lauren G took some great ones. They’re on meetup, facebook, and will also be on our website when I get to it! Thanks Lauren!

You have plenty of opportunity with the WOW Team. Today I want to remind you of 2 important points:

  • Listen to your body and,
  • If you don’t show up, nothing will happen!
Enter your WOW Team Training Experience on the Winners Circle Journal – Please, follow the wonderful explanation from Eileen as to the purpose of keeping a WOW Team/Winners Circle Group  Journal and post your personal entries. Here is Eileen’s explanation on facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/244142088969843/295937230456995

Runner’s Feast, February 3 – Check out the meetup details for our upcoming Runner’s Feast, a delicious, seasonal,  nutritionally balanced meal made for runners (and fast walkers). This is our inaugural dinner and it’s open to the public. Bring a friend or spouse. You MUST RSVP and pay by January 30. http://www.meetup.com/GoWOWTeam/events/42794912/

The Oakland Run Fest Races – You need to register on your own for your chosen race. Check in soon if you want to do the relay! Iris T was organizing a second team and can be contacted through the Winners Circle or at the workouts. You can check with me or your mentor if you don’t yet know Iris.

WOW Members do get a discount and it is on our website but requires a password. The password is case sensitive and is only available to subscribing members. Ask for details on the Winners Circle, or ask your mentor, or ask Coach Stephanie. http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/Registration.htm

This Week’s Details:
Wed :

  • SF Track at 6:30 AM at Kezar
  • Walnut Creek at Las Lomas Track with Coach Stephanie at 6:30PM
  • Lake Merritt Tempo Run in Oakland at 6:30 PM led by Eileen Killory

Saturday: Walk or Casual Run at Lake Merritt with Christy and Coach Stephanie at 8:30 AM

Sunday: Point Isabel, long run at 8:00 AM (arrive early and get entered in our free drawing)

Weekend Workouts:
5K Trainees – Follow the pre-week program until February 12. You are building up to 60 minutes at 5 minute increments or, if you are already at 60 minutes, try to pick up the pace a bit, each week.

10K/Relay Trainees – Still at 60 minutes, in pre-week training until January 28/29. This training assumes you have done a 5K in the last 6 months and are building from a base. Keep trying to increase your speed (or intensity each week) before we start adding extra time to the workout. Note: There is not a 10K race at ORF, only the relay. We are using the 10 training program for our training.

Half Marathon Trainees – we are already up to 100 minutes OR 9 miles whichever comes first (this is adjusted from the printed program just slightly. This is an Endurance Run so DO NOT push the pace. Let your body ease into the new distance or time, whichever comes first.

EVERYBODY!! Increasing speed and distance at the same time is a No/No. First distance, see how it feels, then pick up the pace when you repeat the same workout.

Have a great week. Be strong, happy, and remember that we are here for you.

To Fitness, Friendship, and Fun! Go WOW Team!
Coach Stephanie

Photo 1 - Beth W at Inspiration Point. Upping the miles to train for a half marathon.
Photo 2 - Warmup on a cold morning at Lafayette Reservoir
Photo 3 - Hill technique practice at Lafayette Reservoir
Photo 4 - Coach Stephanie jumping for joy at Lafayette Reservoir
Photo 5 - Christina, Aarti, and Ann at the UN Peace Run in Berkeley

Photos taken by Lauren G. Thanks!

 



Note: If you have a question and are not yet a member of the WOW Team, post it on our Go WOW Team public facebook page and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Members can post on The Winners Circle, our private facebook page. I'll check in on both. Go WOW Team!

The Weekly Pep Talk

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The Weekly Pep Talk
January 4, 2012

"It's not my job to motivate players. They bring extraordinary motivation to our program. It's my job not to de-motivate them." - Lou Holtz

Woman of the Week:  Kiera Newton, winner of the free registration for upcoming Oakland Half Marathon. Go Kiera! (Kiera is third from the left with team mates Filomena, Lauren, Kiera, and Kosheno)

Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  Steady as she goes. Jump into 2012 full of vim and vigor but temper that energy with a bit of patience. Good things come in fitness through time and dedication. You will reach your goals if you are patient and realistic, along with getting TOTALLY PSYCHED about the great things in store for you in 2012!

Dear WOW Women and Interested Readers,
I am EXCITED about 2012! We have an incredible year ahead and it starts this week! As our first week of training for the Oakland Run Fest I want to encourage each of you to push your limits. In other words, I encourage you to dream big and train hard.

This, as most of you know, does not mean to train for too much too soon. What I mean is that I want you to set a goal and put your heart and soul behind accomplishing it. I will help you with being realistic about distance and speed and how to improve. Your team mates will provide the encouragement and moral support. You need to bring the motivation. I don’t want you sabotaging your goals by not allowing time or not truly committing to the task at hand.

We are going to have a lot of fun! There is nothing better than training with others, making new friends, and learning a new skill while working toward a substantial goal. I want you to leave each workout feeling psyched about the next one! I want you to be tired and proud of what you’ve accomplished. I want you to work hard and know that you are making progress, with each step!

The first step is to come out and get moving with WOW! We have our veteran WOW Members returning Jan 4. Yahoo!

New participants are encouraged to come to our Pre-Season Race Introduction Clinic on Saturday, Jan 7 and/or our Training Kickoff on Sunday, Jan. 8.

Details for the many wonderful things that happen with the WOW Team can be explored, initially, by going to our website and clicking on the Resources Tab. The WOW Web Address is http://GoWOWTeam.com.

2012 has so much potential. Let’s jump in with our eyes wide open, ready for the wonders of fitness, friends, and fun, all in one package…The WOW Team!

Go For It! and Set that Bar High!
Coach Stephanie
And the winner is! Kiera Newton is the lucky winner of our Oakland Run Fest Drawing. OK Kiera, time to get serious about your training…
Happy January Birthdays - Laura Lance, Coach Stephanie, Iris Torres, Pamela Brenman
Oakland Relay Teams – If you are interested in this topic, please contact Eileen by posting on the Winners Circle to let her know of your interest. I believe she was forming a team.
Questions, Comments? – Start at the Resources Tab on our website and take it from there

Set your goal. Take action. Get Moving! Go WOW Team!

Go WOW Team is an all women's, year-round training group. The kick-offs are open to EVERYONE. We hope to meet you soon!



Note: If you have a question but cannot attend please post your question on the WOW Team facebook page  and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Go WOW Team!

Track!

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For the week of December 25 - 31, 2011

Intermediate to Advanced – Track Workout – 10 - 20 minute warmup plus dynamic stretches. 1 mile with 2 min recovery X 2 (at your 10K race pace)* 4 laps jogging cool-down, Stretch.

WOW winners at the UN Peace Run, September 2011

Run/Walk – 10 - 20 minute walk/run or easy jog warm-up (depending on your speed) plus dynamic stretches, 1 mile with running 1 lap hard, one lap for recovery, half lap hard, half lap recovery X 2, 1 lap hard, one lap for recovery. Walk 1 lap then repeat. 2 laps walking or jogging cool-down, Stretch.

Walkers – 10 - 20 minute walking warmup plus dynamic stretches. Walk HARD for 1/2 lap, Easy 1/2 lap, Steady 1 lap. Repeat 3 – 4 times. Stretch.

Track workouts will cause you to SWEAT and raise your heart rate! If you have any reason why this is not wise, please inform us. We assume you have spoken with your doctor about exercising hard. Thank you!

*If you don’t already know your 10K race pace, let’s talk!

Bring layers of clothing and water. WOW works out in rain or sun. Be prepared. If the weather is inclement, have a change of clothes in your car or near-by. After the workout is when you can get cold.

The Weekly Pep Talk

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If I could define enlightenment briefly I would say it is the quiet acceptance of what is. - Dr. Wayne Dyer

Woman of the Year - Lauren Ganes. Is there anyone in the group who hasn't benefited from Lauren and her positive presence?

Dear WOW Women and Interested Readers,

Pink and white. The perfect WOW Caps, don't you agree?

The holidays are upon us. Reflection of the past year is inevitable. My wish is that your hopes for the New Year are high and include regular fitness as part of the picture.

We have shared a memorable year. Our races started with training for the Oakland Run Fest, the Walk-It 5K, See Jane Run, San Francisco Marathon, U.N. Peace Run, CIM, and Walnut Creek. These were major group milestones but we also had many individual milestones and ups and downs during those 12 months, didn’t we? As we all know, life goes on within and outside of the WOW Team!

Lauren picks up packets for the group relay at CIM Dec. 2011

I want to congratulate each of you for your personal progress and handling your upsets. We have learned that we can be there for each other, cheering in the good times and caring, in the not so good times. Both matter.

I also want to encourage you to think about mentoring/assisting for WOW as a way of giving something back. Do not feel that you are not qualified. The qualities I am looking for are:

    Reliability
    Caring
    Ability to be positive and supportive to women who may not feel positive or confident in themselves yet.
I will fill in the coaching details if you will care enough to be able to share with others. Please talk to me if you are interested and let’s work out the details.

I also want to invite you to the upcoming Get Going pre-season full day clinic on January 7. Clinics for Couch to Accomplished Participants and mentors are free. WOW members get a 50% discoun,t or you can purchase just the clinic for $99 for the day. Details on the clinic at Chabot College are available through our website. You are encouraged to sign up!

Julie Y waits for the exchange at the CIM Relay Leg 2, Dec. 2011

I will continue to host Sunday afternoon coaching calls although we will be missing Christmas Day and New Year’s Day so the next call will be on January 8, 2012.

Additionally, I will add an extra day that might work better so, please give me your input. For all of you currently in this program I am offering an extra 12 weeks of group coaching, at no extra charge, as a thank you for your participation. And, if you have not received your t-shirt or individual coaching session, let’s try to set this up before or after a training run soon. As you may not know, I have discontinued the in person coaching as part of the program because I am getting too busy.

Aisling and Ann, 2 winners at the Run With the Jets Nov 2011

Our 2012 Schedule has WOW Women training for the Oakland Run Fest ½ Marathon, Relay, and 5K as our first race of the season. Pick your race, take your WOW Discount (on the Winners Circle), copy the training program and let’s get training!

Upcoming:

Dec. 24, informal run/walk at Lake Merritt

Dec. 26, informal run/walk at Berkeley Marina

Dec 31 and every other Saturday in 2012 – Alternate runs at Sawyer Camp, San Mateo

Go to our main meetup site to RSVP and for details on all of these events

Go to Resources for other links.

Jan 3 –Live 2012 Training Kickoff Meeting at Sports Basement in Walnut Creek (WOW will be in WC every other weekend to train)

Mother's Day on the Golden Gate Bridge

Jan 4 – Track Workout at Piedmont Track (no new members until 1-8 please)

Jan 5 – Final teleseminar before the 2012 WOW Training Kickoff

Jan 6 – Mentor Appreciation Dinner

Jan 7 – Pre-Season Clinic to get you up and moving (at Chabot College). Free for Couch to Accomplished Members

Jan 8 – WOW Team Kickoff and First Sunday Workout of the Season in Emeryville

Feb 1 – 6 Week Track Clinic in SF, free for Couch to Accomplished Members

Feb 3 – A Runner’s Feast – first of the year

Details for all of these events and our regular workouts are all available on meetup at the Go WOW Team page. Click here

And finally, if you were not able to make the call the other night I am including a recording for you to listen to at your leisure. It is just over an hour and, unfortunately, was cut short by a phone glitch. You will come to a place in the call where I am talking about neighborhood workouts and then all goes silent…Maybe a blessing in disguise!

Guess who, when, and where this is and you'll win a prize. I know...

Here is the link to the call.. The call was inspirational with several of the women sharing their stories of the realization and belief in themselves as runners and athletes. No one who spoke started off believing that they were athletic!

Happy Holidays. Be Happy!Stay Fit!

Please stay tuned for many good things coming your way in 2012. I hope to see you at several of our upcoming events. – Coach Stephanie

P.S. Many thanks to Chevy Volt, Celliant, and Larabars for their products and support of the WOW Team in 2012. Many thanks to Luna Bars, Transports, Sports Basement, See Jane Run, the Oakland Marathon, the SF Marathon, SF Sport and Spine, Dr. Michelle Cleere, Douglas Pienaar, and Alive Chiropractic for their continued support of the WOW Team

Great Group

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These feisty, fit women, braved the Bay Area cold (OK, so we're wusses when it comes to COLD, REAL COLD!) and put in a solid 60 minutes or more at Inspiration Point yesterday.

Our trusty, competent photographer, and marathon coordinator, Lauren Ganes took the group photo.

Happy Holidays WOW Women! You are AWESOME!

Coach Stephanie

Marathon Minute

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MARATHON MINUTE October 30, 2011
by Lauren Ganes, Marathon Coordinator

BRAV0! To Coach Stephanie! Our fearless coach continues to train for her full marathon in December in the midst of moving. We all know how stressful moving is, and training for a marathon on top of that is a huge commitment with its own stresses. We are so lucky that Coach Stephanie can do all this and still coach the rest of us with her unfailing support. Thank you Coach Stephanie for providing all of us with great training and keeping us motivated and moving.

Sometimes you are so busy with races and keeping track of mileage and pace, that you forget to just enjoy the feeling of running and being outside in nature. I was delighted to see that although Coach Stephanie is in training, she just took off for a second part of her run this morning, without her Garmin.

Don’t get me wrong, knowing your pace and mileage is important, especially when training for a race, but it’s also important to let your body follow its rhythm. In recent weeks, while not training for a specific race, I have been trying to focus on form. Here are a few things I’ve focused on: leaning forward, keeping my arms close to my body, lifting my knees and rolling forward on the balls of my feet.

Let’s keep on running and enjoying the camaraderie of the wonderful women of the WOW Team.

A Word from the Coach

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August 2, 2011 - from Coach Stephanie

July was a very good month for the WOW Team. The weather cooperated; we added several new members; we had some super workouts; and we finished out the month with a great performance at the SF Marathon, Half Marathon, and Progressive Marathon!

Whether you were out there on race day or not, I hope you benefit from the way we set a team goal, follow through with the training, go for it on race day, then move on ahead to something new. The importance of the WOW Team, in my mind, is not to race all the time. The WOW Team is about the cycles and the traditions that we honor.

The tradition of setting race goals is essential to staying motivated. The WOW training cycle means that, not all women will always train for the same things. When we are not training for our own race, we can be out there helping other women go for their goal while, at the same time, keeping our base steady and ready to pick up the pace when our next goal is set.

The women who worked so hard for the July 31 SF Marathon deserve a lot of credit and a little rest. Burnout and injury can result from too much too soon so give yourselves a little down time. That said, setting the next milestone and looking ahead is essential to staying motivated and finding purpose.

I love coaching you, helping you set goals, and supporting you in reaching them. Here’s to the completion of one cycle and the beginning of another! The WOW Team has set races for 5K, 10K, 13.1 miles, and 26.2 for the fall and winter. Choose your distance and let’s get training together!

To Success!
Coach Stephanie

Congratulations to all SFM Participants Aisling Forbes, Kelly Woodard, Merilee Fahlman, Kosheno Moore, Christy Gerren, Pam Skiles, Kathrina Weekes, Beth Robb, Chelsea Deming, Heidi Harrison, Iris Torres, Julie Yokoyama, Maria Kristianti, Kerry Sullivan, Stephanie Atwood, and pacers Simone Adair and Jeanetta Mack who paced us to victory!

Thanks to Lauren Ganes and Filomena Bettencourt who cheered us on.

WOW TEAM ROCKS AT SF MARATHON!

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MARATHON MADNESS

July 31, 2011 - WOW TEAM ROCKS AT SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON!

Congratulations to all the WOW Team participants at the San Francisco Marathon!

Heidi Harrison about to finish the half marathon with a personal best for this distance! Go Heidi! Photo by Lauren Ganes

The WOW Team has so much to celebrate: Aisling Forbes ran her first marathon, and looked strong, poised and graceful as she crossed the finish line! Kelly Woodard also ran her first marathon.

Jeanetta Mack paced the full marathon!

Maria Kristianti and Julie Yokoyama both completed their first Half Marathon!

Bravo to our fantastic Coach Stephanie, for breaking 2 hours for a second time this year in a half marathon. She came in 2nd in her age group, and also improved her time by 2 minutes!

Chelsea Deming sped by as the first WOW team member to cross the 2nd Half Marathon finish line!

Coach Kerry ran a great race, and she too looked strong as she crossed the finish line!

Heidi Harrison and Iris Torres appropriately had huge smiles on their faces as they crossed the finish line, each with a PR!

Also out there pounding the pavement were Progressive Marathoners Christy Gerren, Pam Skiles, Kathrina Weekes, and Beth Robb. For Pam, Beth, and Kathy, this was a first! Send us reports on your experience please.

First Segment Half Marathoners Merilee Fahlman and Kosheno Moore completed their goals, both working with obstacles that challenged them for this race. Good job!

Bravo to you all! Thank you, Coach Stephanie, for providing the training and support for women to achieve goals that reach beyond their expectations.

Keep the momentum going by deciding on your next goal at our workout, Sunday, August 7 at the Emeryville Marina.

Go Wow Team!

Go for the Gusto

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Go for the Gusto!

Iris T and Roob C at the See Jane Run Half Marathon, 2011 - Photo by Lauren Ganes, WOW Team Marathon Coordinator

I have had the pleasure of reading and posting pre-race articles from WOW Coach Kerry Sullivan and WOW Team Marathon Coordinator Lauren Ganes, along with a plethora of photos from our taper run, also taken by Lauren.

The bond that develops with the women in the WOW Team is much stronger than a single race. But, to run, to push limits, to support, to make new friends, and to have fun, week after week, is what the WOW Team is about. When we make the commitment to ourselves and each other, to make our well being a priority, we “win” races and much more.

The sense, yesterday, at the finish of the last training run before race day was one of exhilaration and hope for those who will run on Sunday. Many of you have had to overcome injuries to be at the place where you can now participate in a race. I am so excited for each of you!

Last year at this time, Lauren ran her best half marathon ever, at age 62, and had the second best time in her age category, at the San Francisco Marathon. Kerry, injured, cheered Lauren and the rest of us on, from the sidelines.

This year, Lauren will cheer on Kerry and those of us running as she stands on the sidelines, injured. Two of my team-mates from our winning team last year will be on the sidelines this year. Filomena and Lauren, you will be missed. All of you who are injured will be in our hearts on race day.

For those of you who are psyched and as ready as you can be, Go for the Gusto! I will be holding a Tuesday night phone-in from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Please RSVP if you can make this call. It is specifically a call about details for this weekend and to wish success to the participants. I will answer any and all questions and we will coordinate meeting places, etc. Join us at any time during this 90 minute call. Please RSVP to CoachStephanie@gowowteam.com and I will send call in details.

Also, any of you who want to post a cheer on facebook, please do! Wish your team-mates a good race. You must “LIKE” the page (at the top) to be able to post a message.

Racers, think of us as the wind beneath your wings this Sunday. Here is a list of participants: Aisling Forbes, Kelly Woodard, Kosheno Moore, Julie Yokoyama, Kerry Sullivan, Jeanetta Mack, Heidi Harrison, Marilee Fahlman, Kenia , Marina Shenderovich, Pam Skiles, Kathrina Weekes, Christy Gerren, Iris Torres, and me, Stephanie Atwood

Go for it!
Coach Stephanie

P.S. Wear your WOW Shirts and Caps so we can find you on race day!

Link to Taper Week by Lauren Ganes

Link to Blessing in Disguise by Kerry Sullivan

Blessing in Disguise

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Coach Kerry talks about the true joys of running...

Photo by Lauren Ganes

The blessing in disguise, with being sidelined from a few of my favorite local races, was the ability to spectate. Last year, the San Francisco Marathon was the first race I spectated when I could not run it.

At the time, I was pretty bitter that I could not race in it. The San Francisco Half Marathon was, in fact, the race I had wanted to run since moving to the Bay Area three years ago. After having ran Nike Women’s in 2005, I “patiently” awaited my chance to run the streets of San Francisco once again.

Throughout the race, I remember feeling excitement for those that I knew when they passed, but unfortunately, it was quickly replaced with this feeling of frustration that washed over me each time I would be reminded that indeed my body was hurting.

Once time passed and I was on the mend, I still was no where near ready to run the Oakland Half Marathon in March. However, since the race was adjacent to my neighborhood, I grabbed a cup of coffee, brought my DSLR camera, and stood on the corner of Lake Merritt and waited.

I had a handful of people to cheer on from multiple groups of friends. At this point, I was back to running smaller distances so the bitterness I felt at San Francisco 9 months prior was no where to be found during the Oakland Half Marathon.

Instead, it was replaced with appreciation.

I suggest taking the opportunity to support a local race that you have not signed up for, or better yet, volunteer.

When floods of runners pass you, the perspective you gain is worthwhile. What each of you take away from watching another race might be different, but I can guarantee that it will impact you.

It takes losing something to realize its importance to you.
For me, personally, this race is not about the time, but the fact that I have the ability to run it.

Good luck to all those out there this weekend!

Marathon Training Starts August

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Monday, August 15 is the first day of the WOW Team 16 Week Intermediate Marathon Training Program. Are you planning to run with the WOW Team?

Don't miss out on our dynamic and (partially) free clinics!

August 6 - Burlingame, follow this link for details

August 7 - Emeryville, follow this link for details

August 13 - Walnut Creek, details posted soon

The WOW Team CIM Marathon Training Program is for an intermediate level runner who already has a solid base and can handle the increase in mileage and speed that we will use. Our clinics can help you determine where you are with your training and make a confident decision to train (or not) for 26.2 miles.

Our half marathon training program starts at exactly the same time and offers 17 weeks of training for the Walnut Creek Half Marathon. This is an intentional plan to allow our trainees to put in several weeks of 60 minute runs before increasing the time they put into their training. It is our hope that, during those first 6 weeks, you will become faster and stronger while remaining uninjured and confident for the next phase of your training.

Here is the training schedule with distances planned for the WOW Marathon Training Team. Follow this Fall 2011 Marathon Training Team Saturday Locations

Track Etiquette

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Remember when you are on the track that the fastest runner has the right to be in the inner (first) lane. You must move to your right when you hear someone coming from behind you or when they call out “TRACK!”

Another "biggie" is wearing head phones and running in those inside lanes. Come on!

Those runners are focused and you've got other distractions to get through it all.

Be considerate and run in the outside lanes. Better yet, skip the head phones, tune into your body, or as a last resort, only use one ear bud when you're out there (on the outer lanes). Thank you very much!

Half Marathon Training

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Photo of WOW Member Mayra M at Point Isabel taken by WOW Marathon Coordinator Lauren Ganes

If you are a novice to intermediate level runner or run/walker wanting to successfully complete a half marathon, this training program will get you going!

Follow the link for a day to day training program. If you can't do the same days progression, no worries. Just tweak the schedule to fit your own with the goal to include three running workouts a week, rest in between, and cross training as you can handle it.

Now, the final component of a good training program is a great group to train with and the best coach you can find. ENTER The WOW TEAM! Join us soon. We'd love to run with you and help you reach your full potential.

Follow the link for a day to day training program. Good luck!

Coach Kerry Says...

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Kerry Sullivan will be joining the WOW Team as Coach later this summer. She has been part of the WOW Team for several years and has been honing her coaching and training skills to become the best coach possible. Kerry writes from the heart! Please join her blog at her blog Running on Faith to learn more about Kerry's attachment to running. - Coach Stephanie

July is finally here! I am training for the San Francisco Half Marathon and July always felt distant, in the future. I cannot say, though, that I feel unprepared.

In fact, all the hard work of those training for the half marathon is gaining momentum for the big day!

As I finished my 15 mile long run last Saturday, I muttered to myself “Put me on the course now! I feel ready to go!” For those who do not know me, those are never words you hear from me while training.

However, following the WOW Team’s Intermediate Half Marathon training plan has allowed my body to acclimate to a gradual increase, whether that is mileage or time on your feet. I am proud to see multiple higher mileage weeks - 15, 14, 13, and many 10 milers - under my belt before we take to the streets of San Francisco in a few weeks. Actually, this is my first training cycle with two long runs above a half marathon distance in almost two years!

Since I am no stranger to running injuries, I took my time working back up to this distance and have balanced workouts out with strength and core training with the other runs that my training plan prescribes - tempo and interval sessions - each week.

It is during these tempo and interval workouts where I see my body gradually work more efficiently over the training cycle. I spread these two workouts over the week and make sure to incorporate the resistance training, possibly a fun run, and some recovery to balance the hard work that the WOW team’s training calls for.

With that hard work, comes unbelievable reward! We are almost there. Allow that momentum to build and have faith in your training.

6 Weeks to SF Marathon and Half

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The WOW Team is gearing up for the SF Marathon, Half Marathon and Progressive Marathon!

Here is a list of participants:
1. Aisling F
2. Coach Stephanie
3. Filomena B
4. Iris T
5. Heidi H
6. Lauren G
7. Julie Y
8. Jeanetta M
9. Beth R
10. Kathrina W
11. Pam S

Here is the training mileage (or time) for the weekend workout

Progressive Marathoners - 60 minutes with 5 minutes warm-up then 50 minutes steady and 5 minutes cool-down

Novice to Intermediate Half Marathoners - 11 miles or 130 minutes, whichever comes first

Intermediate, Experienced Marathoners - 11 miles with 1 mile warm-up, 6 miles at HMP, 1 miles steady, 3 miles at HMP

The Big Gay 10K

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Hi Stephanie,

A friend of mine is talking me into running the Big Gay 10k that takes place in SF on August 13. I'm thinking I'd like this to be my next race as it's a good length and a great cause.

I'm not sure if or how I can pass along this info to our WOW community in case anyone else would like to race with me. They do have team registration or individual. I was thinking maybe I'd register as a team then people could just join up with the team if they'd like.

Two things I like about this race is that the registration is only $35 and the proceeds go to the SF Aid Foundation. I will probably run to fund raise, but people don't have to. It does have a bit of the B2B silliness to it probably, but I think the lesser amount of participants and it being for a cause will keep it much more under control. Let me know what you think. I'll be registering once I'm back from the 8th grade trip. - Laura L

http://greaterthanone.org/events/biggay10k/learn-more/